Sole writing credit of Lotte Colin, mother-in-law of producer Harry Saltzman. When she was younger she had wanted to be a screenwriter, so director André De Toth gallantly ceded his writing credit to her. Six weeks later she died from a brain tumor, but enjoyed her brief notoriety.
There were only four dunes in Almeria, Spain, where shooting took place to simulate the desert. making it complicated to film units shooting simultaneously.
Richard Harris claims he quit after a furious row with producer Harry Saltzman. Harris' role was considerably changed after last-minute script revisions. His salary would have been £150,000, according to biographer Michael Feeney Callan.
Nigel Davenport was first cast in a key supporting role, but upgraded to the second lead when Richard Harris was fired.
Nigel Davenport was originally cast as Col. Masters, but the sudden dismissal of Richard Harris led to his being promoted to the larger role of Cyril Leech. His original role was taken over by Nigel Green.